2026 Programme

Meetings are held on the first Friday of each month (unless otherwise specified) at Alves Village Hall – ideal for routine observing either during or after meetings, with only minimal light pollution.

Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

Non-members are always welcome – please contact us.

Friday 9th January 2026 *Postponed – will now take place on 16th January*	Equipment Night/Telescope Tutorial “A chance for members to show, or find out about from other members, the different types of conventional telescopes.This also provides an opportunity for you to get help with any problems you’re having with your own kit.The evening will also feature a tutorial on how to set up a telescope and mount, as well as a display of different types of ‘Smart Scopes’ whose owners will be there to explain how they work as well as answer any questions you have.If the weather is kind to us, there will be the opportunity to see the various scopes in action, and to put into practice the methodology from the tutorial session. It will also be a good opportunity for members to socialise!”
Friday 6 February 2026 Dr Ray Palmer SIGMA	The Cosmic Beat: The Discovery, Origins and Significance of Pulsars This talk deals with the serendipitous nature of the discovery of pulsars, how they are formed as a consequence of the natural evolution of massive stars, as well as their significance in our understanding of astrophysics and astronomy in general. It will also touch on how their behaviour has been exploited in attempts to communicate with ET!
Friday 6 March 2026 Richard Oakley SIGMA	A Very Brief History of Lenses This brief talk discuses the evolution of lenses, specifically telescope lenses. It will cover the development of lenses and how they have evolved into complex cellular mirrors, both Earth and space based.
Friday 3 April 2026 Jackie Eadie SIGMA	History of Astronomy This talk will focus on key moments in history which moved Astronomy forward, selecting interesting people, ideas and inventions ranging from Aristotle in Antiquity to Copernicus during the Middle Ages; through Lenses and Light with Galileo leading to Mathematics and Mechanics in the transformative Newtonian period; and not forgetting the inspirational labours of the Herschels and their Leviathan which set scientists, engineers and astronomers on a path towards the unbelievably rapid development of Telescopy, Astrophysics and Space Travel that we are all enjoying so much today
Friday 1 May 2026	AGM This years AGM has been brought forward due to speaker availability
Friday 5 June 2026 Graham Young Dundee Astronomical Society	Thomas Henderson and sizing up the Universe The Dundee-born astronomer was the first person to successfully measure the distance to a star and he became the first Astronomer Royal for Scotland. He was an important cog in the process of measuring celestial distances.
Friday 3 July 2026	TBA
Friday 7 August 2026	TBA
Friday 4 September 2026 Dr. Craig Stark University of Glasgow	TBA
Friday 2 October 2026 Prof. Catherine Heymans Astronomer Royal for Scotland	How to Design a Universe: the science of real and virtual worlds “Mum, do you think we could be inside a computer game?” My kids love delaying bedtime by asking me tricky questions, and this particular existential crisis left me utterly lost for words. To try and find an answer, I’ve been throwing all the physics I know at the problem. As the Astronomer Royal for Scotland, I’m used to creating giant maps of the Universe that transport us 10 billion years back in time. But what if all the ancient light that I’ve spent my entire career collecting is just a series of computer impulses in an elaborate simulation of my own reality? I know how to simulate an entire Universe of galaxies: have I been naive to think a future scientist couldn’t create a complete virtual world much closer home?Today I’m going to share the journey I’ve taken to understand how one day we might simulate our own lives. We’ll look at the laws of physics that govern the Universe and delve into the inner workings of your computer and artificial intelligence. I’ll ask why philosophers feel so challenged by the concept of living in a predetermined virtual world, when it’s clear that interactions on the smallest and largest scales in our Universe can be mathematically defined. By exploring the intersections of physics, astronomy, and philosophy, I’ll be inviting you to reconsider what is ‘real’.
Friday 6 November 2026 Dr Ken MacTaggart FBIS Highlands Astronomical Society	Debunking the Apollo Moon Hoax Theory Many young people do not believe in the Apollo Moon landings. How was such an extraordinary feat achieved using antiquated 1960s technology? Despite huge technical leaps since, no-one has walked on the Moon for over 50 years. Now new evidence is emerging from the latest scientific investigations.
Friday 4 December 2026	Christmas Quiz Bring along the family for a night of fun, questions and mince pies to end the year. There will also be the usual Christmas raffle.